Automobile Accidents

As Gulfport accident attorneys we hear daily about automobile accidents along the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The worst scenarios are those involving the loss of a human live or injuries that result in lengthy hospitalization and rehabilitation.

The statistics involving automobile accidents are alarming. Findings from the Insurance Research Council's (IRC) Auto Injury Insurance Claims Study show that medical expenses that were reported by auto injury claimants continue to increase faster than the rate of inflation, in spite of the fact that the severity of the injuries themselves remain on a downward trend. 

Many automobile accident results from errors that can produce life chancing consequences not only for those involved but also their families and dependents. The cause of automobile accidents varies depending on the person, weather conditions and time of the accident. There are many causes of automobile accidents and we have listed several below:

• Alcohol Related
• Speeding
• Red Light Running
• Fatigue
• Tailgating
• Distracted Driving

In some cases an automobile accident can be caused by multiple issues such as speeding and alcohol related.

In addition to being traumatized by an automobile accident, many people are frustrated by the delays and denials by insurance companies. Whether it is keeping your claim moving through the insurance maze or assisting you to get the compensation you deserve Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C  has the necessary resources and experience to effectively assist you with your automobile accident. We will discuss your situation in detail and go over the various options that are available to you. We will work with insurance companies and other parties involved to make sure that all your needs are handled quickly and appropriately.

If you or a loved one has suffered a vehicle injury you need to hire an experienced automobile accident attorney who can help make sure you receive the compensation you deserve. Our team at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C  handles all types of motor vehicle accidents including motorcycle accidents, boating accident, truck accidents and automobile accidents. With more than 68 years of combined legal experience, we are dedicated to helping victims throughout that state of Mississippi with the representation they need.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced auto accident lawyer. Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below. 

 

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

We have all read or heard the recent stories regarding distracted drivers. A couple examples are:

School Bus Driver was distracted prior to Wethersfield CT crash on April 2, 2015 when she rear ended a jeep. This crash sent nine (9) people to the hospital.

Hartford CT police hand out close to 100 tickets during the first leg of a month long, state wide effort to prevent distracted driving. The campaign is entitled, “U DRIVE. U TEST. U PAY.”

Keep in mind that ANY activity that can divert your attention away from the task of driving is considered distracted driving. This includes but is not limited to anything that involves using your cell phone; Eating or drinking; Engaging with passengers, children or pets; Applying make-up or shaving; or reading a map. If you need to do any of these pull your vehicle over and handle them safely.

If you are one of the eighty percent of American drivers that believe hands free devices are safer than using a handheld phone the National Safety Council (NSC) states that is not the case. More than 30 studies have shown hands free devices are no safer because the brain remains distracted by conversation. The NSC stated that when talking on a cell phone, drivers can miss seeing up to half of what’s around them, such as stop signs, traffic lights and pedestrians.

So put down your cell phone, do not text and drive, stop eating that sandwich when driving and keep your hands on the steering wheel and eyes on the road. Take the pledge to drive cell free.

We urge you to educate yourself on the dangers of distracted driving. To practice safe driving habits and to speak out if the driver in your vehicle is distracted. And remember that Mississippi House Bill 389 becomes effective July 1, 2015 which prohibits drivers from typing, sending or reading text messages, emails or social media messages.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a distracted driver you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C and we will evaluate your case at no cost or obligation. Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we defend your interests and protect your legal rights. With more than 67 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer our clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

                                                          

Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)

A medical, psychological, or psychiatric impairment often leaves an individual incapable of working and earning a living. If you are unable to work and will remain unable to work for a continuous period of not less than 12 (twelve) months Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) provides benefits to disabled workers, their spouse and children. To be considered disabled for claiming SSDI you must have a condition that prevents you from earning a certain monthly income as a full-time worker, which is currently $1,090 before taxes. SSDI is designed for people who have worked and paid taxed into the Social Security system for years prior to becoming disabled. The number of years you are required to pay into the Social Security system varies by age.

Disability benefits in Mississippi are provided through a federal program administered by the Social Security Administration. Social Security uses both medical disability criteria and non-medical criteria to determine whether you qualify for Social Security Disability. You must be able to prove that you are medically disabled. The Mississippi Disability Determination Services (DDS) is the office the makes the decisions on whether or not a Mississippian is disabled based on his or her medical record. The Office of Disability Adjudication and Review (ODAR) is the office that handles all disability appeals.

It is not uncommon for SSDI benefits to be denied at the initial claim. Your next step would be to  file an appeal. We strongly suggest that all your medical information is in your file as many claims are denied because the medical record lacks adequate documentation that establishes the severity of your disability. If you have been denied do not give up. You should appeal as soon as possible as the sooner Social Security schedules a hearing the better chance for winning your claim and continuing with the process for your SSDI benefits.

 

For experienced assistance with the SSDI benefit application, denial, termination or the appeals process contact our team at Hopkins, Barvie & Hopkins. We can guide your case through the SSDI process and assist you in receiving the SSDI benefits you deserve.

Call us for today for a free initial consultation at 228.864.2200 or email us online via our website at www.hopkins-law.com. With more than 68 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

                                                         

 

 

 

When you have been injured on the job call us BEFORE the problems start

Worker’s compensation exists in all states to protect workers who become hurt on the job or contact an illness as a result of their job. It is a state mandated insurance program and each state has their own laws and programs for it. A worker is covered and eligible for benefits as soon as they begin employment. Occupational illness and diseases are covered if job related as are work related deaths.

You have the right to compensation for lost wages and medical expenses regardless of who was at fault be it employer, employee, coworker, customer or third party. If the injury results in death the payment of benefits is to the surviving spouse and dependents and may continue for up to 450 weeks after the decedent’s death. The employer or its insurance carrier is obligated to pay up to $2,000 in funeral expenses and an immediate lump sum of $250 to the surviving spouse.

If you have been injured you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible. There is no deductible to be paid by the worker for any of the benefits received under workers compensation.

You should notify and report your injury as soon as possible to your employer or supervisor. It does not matter how insignificant you believe your injury to be - always report it. You should also provide a list of witnesses if the injury was due to a specific workplace accident. It should include the date, time, how the injury occurred and where the injury happened. Remember to keep copies of all documents for your records.

In some cases your workplace injuries can be moderate to severe and your doctor and you believe your health will not return to the condition it was prior to your injury, you may be entitled to a “permanent partial disability” award.

You are entitled to obtain an attorney regardless of the circumstances of your worker’s compensation claim. If you believe you are not receiving full compensation let us help you. Or if you would like to dispute an adverse decision made by your employer, your employer’s insurance company, or your state's workers' compensation division regarding your workers’ compensation claim give us a call.

If you suffered a workplace injury or contacted an illness on the job, contact a worker’s compensation attorney at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, who can help you make sure you receive the benefits you need and will represent your interests.

Call us for a free initial consultation at 228.864.2200 or email us online via our website at www.hopkins-law.com. With more than 68 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

                                                         

 

 

 

Have You Been Injured In A Car Accident?

Car accidents can happen anytime and anywhere even to the safest drivers. You cannot control what careless or distracted motorists will do but you can take control of your life after a car accident.

 

In Mississippi a written accident report must be filed with the police with 10 days if someone is hurt or the property damage exceeds $250. It is a misdemeanor if you fail to file this report and could lead to a suspended driver’s license and it is illegal to provide false information in the report. We have listed below 9 steps to take if you are involved in a car accident as we realize that this can be overwhelming.

 

9 steps to take if you are involved in a car accident:

1. Be prepared before it happens. Have your insurance information in your wallet and glove compartment. It is also a good idea to have pen and paper in the glove compartment.
2. Stay calm.
3. Make sure everyone is OK. If needed seek medical attention as quickly as possible.
4. Call the police to report the accident.
5. Call your insurance company and report the claim.
6. Exchange vital information with the other driver such as contact information and insurance information.
7. Take photos with your cell phone or if you have a camera, including the surrounding areas, traffic signs, lane markings and damages to the vehicles.
8. Do not admit guilt. Express compassion but do not admit any fault. Do not answer questions or make statements to the other driver.
9. Treat parking accidents the same as road accidents.
   

Our law firm has the necessary resources and experience to effectively assist you with your car accident. We will discuss your situation in detail and go over the various options that are available to you. We will work with insurance companies and other parties involved to make sure that all your needs are handled quickly and appropriately.

 

If you or a loved one has suffered a vehicle injury you need to hire an experienced auto accident attorney who can help make sure you receive the benefits you need. Our team at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C handles all types of motor vehicle accidents including motorcycle accidents, boating accident, truck accidents and auto accidents. With more than 68 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

 

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced auto accident lawyer.

 

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Head, Neck and Back Injuries

Some of the most common personal injury cases are head, neck and back injuries. These cases can be difficult to prove and many insurance companies treat them with suspicion. They require attention to detail, medical knowledge and experience, which our attorneys at Hopkins, Barvie and Hopkins can provide for you. As your attorney we will fight to show how your injury has impacted your daily life and how it will impact your future.

There are a variety of types of head, neck or back injuries and some can be very serious and lead to permanent disability, mental impairment and in some cases death. You may not only be dealing with a severe injury, you may also be struggling with the financial and emotional aspects of recovering from the accident. If you or your family are coping with a head, neck or back injury you are entitled to rightful compensation.

Many head injuries result in a coma which is nightmare for both the individual and the family members who are uncertain what comes next. Neck injuries are difficult not just physically but also financially as may require frequent medical visits. Serious back injuries are among the most costly and disabling problems caused by motor vehicle accidents. Many of these accidents occur because of negligence, carelessness or indifference.

At Hopkins, Barvie and Hopkins, we know how terrifying a head, neck or back injury can be and how frustrating they can be too. If it is a serious injury you and your loved ones lives can be changed forever and other injuries can cause stress, suffering and turmoil too.

If you or a loved one has been a victim of a head, neck or back injury you should contact an experienced personal injury attorney at Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C and we will evaluate your case at no cost or obligation.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we defend your interests and protect your legal rights. With more than 66 years of combined legal experience, our attorneys offer our clients throughout Mississippi the representation they need.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.

Mississippi Social Security Disability Claims

At Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., we represent people who suffer from mental or physical disability, or any combination of the two. We will assist you with all the necessary forms and petitions to receive the benefits you need.

If you have worked long enough and have a medical condition that prevents or is expected to prevent you from working for at least 12 months or result in death Social Security pays disability benefits to you and certain members of your family. The work requirement is waived for applicants who can prove that they became disabled at or before the age of 22. If you have been disabled and are age 22 or younger you may be eligible for what is considered a “child’s” benefit.

In the state of Mississippi there are more than 7 percent of nearly two million residents that receive monthly disability benefits from the Social Security Administration. Every year more people apply for Social Security Disability benefits and many of these applicants receive a denial of their initial disability application.

In order to obtain the benefits you may be rightfully entitled to, you must undergo a disability appeal process. Request for Reconsideration is the first stage of the appeal process. If you are denied your reconsideration request then you must obtain a disability hearing before an Administrative Law Judge to receive disability benefits. In order to obtain the benefits you may be rightfully entitled to, you must undergo a disability appeal process. We can assist you with this process.

Hopkins, Barvié & Hopkins, P.L.L.C., focuses on representing individuals and their family members with their Mississippi Social Security Disability claims. We work with you in the preparation of your disability claim and help you gather the medical evidence necessary to support your claim for disability benefits. If your application for disability benefits is still denied, we help you navigate the complicated disability appeal process. We also ensure that the judge has and understands all the details he or she needs in order to make a fair and informed decision.

Contact us online or call 228-864-2200 to schedule your free initial consultation with an experienced lawyer.

To best meet the needs of our diverse client base, we speak Spanish. Los Abogados Hablan Espanol.

Or, email us, like us on Facebook or follow us on LinkedIn. Just click below.